Brett Lauther is concentrating on an off-the-field goal.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ placekicker has resolved to build upon the inaugural Roughrider Foundation Winter Classic charity hockey game, which was played March 18 at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon.
That will also be the venue for the second such event, which is slated for Feb. 3, beginning at 12:30 p.m., on the University of Saskatchewan campus.
“Hopefully it’s just like Part 1, but with a couple of little twists, and bigger and better,” says Lauther, who on Thursday received the Tom Pate Memorial Award when the CFL honoured its best performers.
“The goal is to raise a lot of money for the Foundation and for the Win with Wellness program so we can give back to the community of Saskatchewan that gives us so much.
“I’m working hard behind the scenes on the game again and I’m just looking forward to trying to have another successful event.”
Win with Wellness is a Foundation initiative that enables trained player ambassadors, such as Lauther, to visit classrooms across Saskatchewan and talk to young people about mental health.
Lauther, the Roughriders’ full-time placement specialist since 2018, has dedicated countless hours to community endeavours since joining the team.
In 2022, he approached the Foundation about the possibility of organizing a charity hockey game.
“The people here have been nothing but first-class to me,” he says.
“Starting the event about a year before and coming up with the ideas and having the team give me the resources and everything I needed, or being crazy enough to believe in some of my ideas, it’s truly a privilege to be here and wear green.
“We got over the toughest hurdle — getting it off the ground. Now we have a base line to work off. It’s still a lot of hard work, but it’s not as difficult as the first year.
“Hopefully we can make it an each-and-every-year event and become self-sustainable in the future and become something that the fans and the players can look forward to every off-season, when it’s a little quieter.
“This year, it’s still a lot of work and we’re doing a ton of it behind the scenes. We’re just hoping to grow on what we started last year.”
As was the case last March, the game will include current and former Roughriders players, along with various celebrity guests.
As well, there will be various family-oriented activities, special giveaways and in-game activations.
A meet-and-greet will follow the game, which will again be attended by several non-playing Roughriders employees.
“I was just so happy for everyone who works upstairs in the (business) offices,” Lauther says. “People put in tireless hours behind the scenes to pull off an event like that.
“I don’t think a lot of people truly know what goes on, but when you have your hand in each and every part, from the logistics of insurance to the rink boards to the marketing to the advertising, you realize there are so many hoops and hurdles to navigate with the club and the Foundation. Just to be able to make it happen, I couldn’t be more proud.”
Lauther is also proud to have captained the winning team in the first Winter Classic.
Team Lauther edged a Rob Bagg-captained squad 8-7 in a shootout. Roughriders receiver Mitch Picton scored the lone goal in the shootout.
For Lauther, game day was memorable from beginning to end.
“It was almost unbelievable,” he recalls. “I was kind of buzzing the whole day. Even with all the guys, we felt like we were kids in a candy store.
“It was like Christmas Day. We couldn’t believe it was actually happening and we were super-excited. It’s something to look forward to in the off-season and still create a little buzz around the team, while also raising some money for a good cause where it’s going back to the kids and the province.
“It checks off every box. Each and every year, we’re trying to make it a little bigger and better.”
Tickets for the Feb. 3 game are $25 for attendees aged 13 and above. Children under 12 will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult.
To order tickets, visit TICKETMASTER
